With the 5 of Cups (Mars in Scorpio) comes lessons of grief and sorrow. There are times when we must look around and accept that things have not turned out as we hoped or expected. Perhaps a love relationship ended. Or you realise you are stuck in a dead-end job. You got evicted. Your dog died. You got a diagnosis which changed your life expectancy… Life is full of these kinds of moments.
“Cry. Forgive. Learn. Move on. Let your tears water the seeds of your future happiness.”
― Steve Maraboli
That one or more of these types of things will happen to us during our lifetime is inevitable. Thankfully, the Tarot is kind enough to prepare us by gently guiding us to remember that no matter what the circumstances, all is not lost. Every challenging experience presents us with an opportunity for growth. Because that is why we are here: to experience, learn and grow our souls.
In the greater scheme of things, it matters little if we survive the terminal diagnosis by some miracle, or if we find ‘The One’ at age 21 and settle down in a rose-tinted ‘happily ever after.’ What does matter is how grief and sorrow carve our character out of the ego personality. The ego always suffers from a sense of entitlement. It always asks ‘Why me?’ and it only ever sees the three cups on the ground traditionally depicted in RWS style decks.
Grief from the point of view of the Higher Self
The Higher Self takes pity on the ego… “There, there… have a good cry. It will help you shift and align through understanding and acceptance.”
The Higher Self is like that best friend mentioned in the George Eliot quote below. The Higher Self always reminds you of the two Cups still standing and doesn’t judge you for crying over the ones that fell over. It waits patiently for the ego to let go of its sense of entitlement and helps you see what is worth holding onto.
“A friend is one to whom one may pour out the contents of one’s heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that gentle hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.”
― George Eliot
Affirmation: “I accept my feelings of grief and sadness completely.”
5 of Cups Prayer
Dear Mother-Father God, thank you for helping me see that not all is lost. Help me be authentic about what I feel so I can heal fully from this grief and sadness. Amen and so it!
Correspondences for the 5 of Cups
Planet: Mars
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Archangel: Gabriel, ruler of the Element of Water
Gemstones: Smokey quartz, amethyst and red jasper
Essential oils: Lavender, neroli and galbanum
The 5 of Cups in Love & Relationships
Jealousy or power plays could have driven two lovers apart as this card signifies an element of loss and regret. If this card comes up in a reading for a couple still living together, it could signify that someone is paying way too high a price for the presence of the other. Relationship counselling would be a good next move.
Single and looking
In a reading for a single person, this card usually indicates the need for some serious heart-healing before they are ready to move on and start dating again.
The Marseille Tarot image in this post is from the CBD Tarot by Yoav Ben-Dov.
Take me back to the Tarot Card Meanings page
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